You can delay making a selection on the best Low Carbon Energy Assessors for an eternity, but what does that really achieve? It’s just a stalling tactic that buys a small amount and may cost lots. The wiser approach is to carefully scrutinise your options and single out the one that has the most positives going for it.

An EPC has been required for the construction, sale or letting of property, since 2008, but until recently it was just simply a tick box exercise as part of the transaction. However, now EPC and MEES have wider implications for commercial landlords and tenants than just energy efficiency, and not all EPCs are created equally (poor data in, low EPC out). How to read a domestic energy performance certificate NDEPCs are not Display Energy Certificates (DECs) and should not be confused with such. All larger public buildings require an annual Display Energy Certificate (DEC) highlighting their actual energy consumption and energy performance. When trying to get to a EPC rating of a B, you may have to use actual calculated u-values, instead of software assumed u-values. A u-value is the rate that heat is lost through an element. The lower the u-value, the better an element is at reducing heat loss. So for example an un-insulated cavity wall will have a u-value of 1.50 and an insulated cavity wall a u-value of 0.70. Understanding the difference between a domestic and commercial EPC, what goes into an assessment process, and which systems are considered in this type of evaluation can help you make more informed decisions about your own property. Landlords should be mindful of what fit out their tenants are doing, and pro-actively re-assess their EPCs when the fit out will give the most favourable EPC rating. An EPC lasts for 10 years, or until superseded by a new one or the unit changes size.



An EPC may only be issued by an accredited energy assessor. With scams becoming more and more common it is wise to check that you are happy with who is carrying out your assessment. To do that you can visit the register website. An EPC gives a clear view of a property’s energy efficiency. If you’re a homebuyer you must make sure the seller has a valid and up to date EPC rating. A better rating could be attractive for a potential buyer or tenant, whereas a lower one indicates that the property could incur higher energy bills. Homeowners and landlords must order an EPC before marketing a property for sale or rent. The EPC certificate allows potential buyers and tenants to compare energy costs between homes they are viewing. Different activities can result in different periods of occupancy and different required temperatures, as well as varying requirements for lighting and hot water supply. The energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions are calculated by considering these demands in relation to the details of the building services. Research around non domestic epc register remains patchy at times.

Government Legislation

An EPC Certificate displays the energy efficiency grade of a commercial building. EPC Certificates are graded on a scale of A-G. The best result you can achieve is an A grade (most efficient) and the lowest being G (least efficient). The rating graph is similar to the labels you see attached to new appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines. The sort of client who cares about the energy efficiency of a home is the sort of tenant that most landlords will want to attract – while it may show the tenant has green credentials, it can also show that the tenant is considering their long term financial situation by gauging how expensive the bills may be. So, if a house has a good (or even average) EPC rating, it would be fair to say that there is an associated weighted factor of influence in terms of the occupant.A An EPC will look like the multi-coloured sticker that you see on new household appliances. It will include an energy efficiency rating, the estimated costs of running your home and a summary of energy performance related features. An EPC is only required for a habitable unit if it is self-contained. This is therefore different to the requirement for Decent Homes inspections, where units which are not self-contained must be individually assessed. Landlords should be aware of this when holding EPC and Decent Homes data in common asset management databases. Energy efficient improvements may need to be carried out or an exemption may need to be registered on the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Exemptions Register if the property cannot be improved to meet the minimum standard. For example, a landlord will be able to continue to let a substandard property where it can be shown that efficiency measures would decrease the property’s value by 5% or more, or a temporary exemption of six months can be granted to new landlords. A well-thought-out strategy appertaining to epc commercial property can offer leaps and bounds in improvements.

Since 1 April 2020, The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and wales) Regulations 2015 require that, subject to certain exemptions, all domestic private rented sector landlords in scope improve their properties to a minimum energy efficiency standard of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band E. It's really simple to find out if you already have an EPC online! All EPC certificates are lodged on the national database. As the certificate is valid for 10 years, many people are unaware when the previous owner had the certificate issued, or simply forget. Checking if you have an EPC online is completely free and doesn't require an EPC certificate cost. From 1 October 2008, a rented property was required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) prepared by an accredited Energy Assessor and be provided to any prospective tenant. There was no need to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate for an existing tenancy. Once obtained, a certificate remains valid for up to 10 years. If a valid Energy Performance Certificate still exists when changing tenants no new certificate is required. This applies to both private and social sector landlords and tenants. So, how does MEES affect tenants of a commercial building? Although the new rules directly impacts landlords in the commercial property sector, as a tenant you may still be affected by the regulation. You may be asked to leave the property whilst work is being carried out to improve energy efficiency. However, The Deregulation Act covers tenants against unfair eviction in relation to issues raised around the property’s energy efficiency. When you market your building for sale or rent, your agent will need the EPC as s/he is legally required to include the energy performance indicator from the certificate on any commercial media for that property. This could include brochures, newspaper advertisements and property websites. A simple for sale or for let board or sign would not require the energy performance indicator to be included. A solid understanding of commercial epc makes any related process simple and hassle free.

How Do I Get A New Epc Certificate?

For the purposes of producing an EPC, the activity within the building should be specified in line with business activity typical of the use class and the most energy intensive fit-out adopted in line with Part L of the Building Regulations in force when the building was built. In order to carry out an EPC, the Energy Assessor visits the property to measure the building, record the activities that the rooms are used for and to collect data on the building services including heating and cooling plant, ventilation, hot water provision and lighting. Photographs are also taken to provide evidence of the site visit. Why your tenant needs an EPC Since the 6th April 2008 (around ten years ago) the requirement for non-domestic dwellings (Commercial buildings) are required to have a Commercial Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) whenever a building is constructed, sold or rented. Commercial EPCs are valid for 10 years or until a newer EPC is produced for building, if earlier. Like the domestic dwellings market, commercial buildings are also being assessed in far greater numbers, which is increasing transparency and making comparability a lot easier from building to building. Conducting viability appraisals with respect to mees is useful from the outset of any project.

Energy Performance Certificates are useful because when shown to a homeowner, it gives a good indication of where energy costs will be spent and where the homeowner or tenant can improve on the property’s energy costs. Of course, if the tenant is renting, it’s usually up to the landlord to make such changes; such as the energy efficiency of the windows, doors, walls and floor. The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a government scheme that encourages homeowners (and businesses) to adopt cleaner renewable heating technology. Payments are made quarterly for 7 years after installation. We’ve put together a handy guide to help you learn more about the RHI. Energy efficient buildings are still high-performing buildings capable of a lot; they simply use different building methods, materials, and other resources to create a more energy-efficient, and therefore, environmentally friendly structure. Energy efficient building design and appliances all help to limit these things, and by obtaining a green certificate, you are making it clear you are committed to the limitation and elimination of your greenhouse gas contribution, giving you a more favorable appearance in the eyes and mind of a more green-conscious era. Were you aware that an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is required in the event that your property is constructed, renovated, rented, or sold? This is why it is important for homeowners to obtain a professional EPC survey in order to ensure that everything is in order. Still, you might be unfamiliar with what the process actually entails. For example, what is an EPC certificate? What is involved with an inspection? What types of benefits will it provide? There are many options available when it comes to mees regulations in today’s market.

Follow The Recommendations

An EPC is a measure of the theoretical energy performance capability of a building. The energy rating is expressed from A to G on a colour coded bar chart. The rating is based on the CO2 emissions of the building, factoring in the building’s construction fabric and heating, cooling and lighting services. A report of recommendations accompanies the certificate and sets out proposals to improve the energy efficiency of the building with short, medium and long payback periods. Part of the EPC is a recommendation report which will list the potential rating that the property could achieve, if changes were made. The report lists improvements that could be carried out and how this would change the energy and carbon emission rating of the property. Commercial Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) are energy reports that determine how energy efficient a building or commercial premises is. The ratings on a commercial EPC start from G (least energy efficient), going up to an A for the most energy efficient building. Unlike the domestic EPCs, commercial reports start from 0, which is a very good rating going up to 150 and beyond for the worst energy performing properties. One can unearth more intel about Low Carbon Energy Assessors on this UK Government Portal link.

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